Tinubu vows to boost military modernization, personnel welfare

By Kunle Sanni

The Minister of Defence, Mohammad Badaru Abubakar, has reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to modernizing Nigeria’s military, improving personnel welfare, and advancing specialized training programs for operational effectiveness.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the first batch of the Special Operations Force Training and Equipping program for the Armed Forces of Nigeria at Camp Kabala in Jaji, Kaduna State, Badaru emphasized that the initiative is a significant step toward strengthening national security and addressing emerging threats.

“This milestone marks a new chapter in our commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s defense capabilities, enhancing our response to evolving security threats, and ensuring that our forces remain among the best-trained and most resilient in the world,” he stated.

The Special Operations Force Training program aims to develop an elite unit skilled in advanced combat tactics, intelligence-driven operations, and rapid response missions. According to the Minister, the program will equip personnel with the expertise needed to combat terrorism, insurgency, transnational crime, and other security challenges facing the nation.

“Our vision is to build a highly skilled, agile, and mission-ready force capable of executing specialized operations in diverse and complex environments,” Badaru said.

The training, designed to enhance inter-agency collaboration, includes personnel from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, and other security agencies. It focuses on special combat tactics, counterterrorism operations, intelligence gathering, and hostage rescue missions.

Recognizing the demanding nature of special operations, the program will also test and refine the physical and psychological endurance of trainees. “Emphasis will be placed on leadership under pressure, fostering duty, discipline, and camaraderie among participants,” the Minister added.

Upon completing the intensive training, the newly formed Special Operations Force will be deployed to critical areas across the country to reinforce national security efforts. The first batch consists of 800 trainees out of a planned 2,400, as part of a broader strategy to develop a world-class special operations capability within the Armed Forces.